Stocksbridge Park Steels(h) Match Preview

Spartans will look to bounce back from the opening day injury time defeat at Witton Albion as Evo-Stik Northern Premier League football makes it's return to Croft Park for the first time in six years on Tuesday night with the visit of Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Tommy Cassidy should have a full squad to pick from with the return of summer signing Ash Davis who was unavailable for the trip to Witton but will be looking to add to his two pre-season goals he scored before securing a permanant contract with Spartans. Several Spartans players will be looking to make competitive home debuts and the Croft Park faithful will be able to give Robbie Dale their congratulations after he passed a century of goals for the club on Saturday.

Our visitors actually opened the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League season on Friday night as they entertained Chorley and were beaten 5-4 in a remarkable game. They finished last season one place above the relegation spots in the Northern Premier League and avoided the drop on goal difference. However after being so unfortunate on Friday night against a much fancied Chorley side suggests they will be a tough task for Spartans.

Weather Info:

Sunny but with a strong chance of rain

Match info

Last time out:

Sat 18 August ESNPL: Witton Albion 2-1 Blyth Spartans (Dale)

Fri 17 August ESNPL: Stocksbridge Park Steels(Booker, Ellison, Darley, Fish) 4-5 Crawley

Previous Meeting:

29 November 2003 FA Trophy 2nd Rd: Blyth Spartans(McAlindon, Burt, Woodhouse, Fenton) 4-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels

Odds Checker

Match Odds:

Blyth Spartans 5/4 , Draw 2/1 , Stocksbridge Park Steels 9/4

League Title Odds:

Blyth Spartans 20/1, Stocksbridge Park Steels 80/1

Match Day: Spartans on this day

21 Aug 1954 North Eastern League: Horden CW(h) 2-0 Hogg(2)
21 Aug 1961 NC: North Shields(a) 4-6 Spence, Hogg, og, Hogg
21 Aug 1965 Northern League: Tow Law(a) 4-5 Middlemiss, Orrick, Hewitt, Cairns
21 Aug 1971 Northern League: Durham City(a) 2-2 Slane, Scott
21 Aug 1974 Northern League: Ashington(a) 1-1 Pink
21 Aug 1976 Northern League: Horden CW(a) 1-1 Pink
21 Aug 1979 Northern League: Horden CW(h) 2-2 Houghton, Doig
21 Aug 1982 CI Cup Final: Whitby(a) 0-0 BSAFC won 5-4 on pens
21 Aug 1984 CI Cup Final: Horden CW(h) 3-1 McFadden(2), Scaife
21 Aug 1985 Northern League Div 1: Crook Town(a) 2-0 Buchanan, McFadden
21 Aug 1993 Northern League Div 1: Dunston Fed(h) 2-0 Burgess, Hallam
21 Aug 2004 NPL Premier Division: Bamber Bridge(a) 0-1
21 Aug 2010 Blue Square North: Corby Town(h) 1-1 Turnbull